Recent Find M1860 Ames cavalry saber

[CS_44]

Hello,
I recently just purchased this Ames production m1860 light cavalry saber. I just want to make sure everything looks as it should and any other info on these sabers would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[UCVRelics]

Looks right as rain and the ADL is for inspector AD King. Look on the scabbard drag and see if there is also an ADK stamped there.

 

[bobinwmass]

The saber does appear to be an original Ames. That date looks like it may have been restamped - that "3" looks a little wonky. At first I had doubts about the scabbard because it looked like it had screws at the throat, but looks like that's just a shadow.

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy

 

[CS_44]

Thank you guys for the replies I will see if the scabbard also has the ADK stamp when it arrives.

 

[CS_44]

Also another thing I forgot to mention was that the seller said that the blade was blunt or unsharpened. Was that something that was normal for ones that were issued to cavalry men? I did also read somewhere though that they left the factory unsharpened and many were kept that way when issued. Is that true?

 

[bayonet]

Maybe better pics of both sides of the grip/handle would help. Also try to ask ahead of time before you purchase so you don't get taken to the cleaners. What did you pay for it? As has been said here many times on this website, buy or get the books or reference material or internet info available ahead of time. Will save you from mistakes and misery

 

[CS_44]

I didn't really have any doubts when I purchased this item as it came from a reputable seller and he got it in a trade from another sword collector. I just always like to have people who know more than me give their opinions on it. I spent $500 on it so I don't think that was to bad seems like around the going rate for these. I have some pictures of the grip but seems like the wire wrapping is a little loose but that seems like a pretty common thing with these.

 

[bayonet]

Yeah sorry the wire is loose because it looks like most if not all of the leather grip/handle is gone exposing just the wood. No that's not common and if it was it's an easy fix. You could send it off to Tom Nardi at Sword Restoration it restore it. But that will cost you more. I've replaced the wire on several swords from Rev War to ACW and can't tell the difference from originals. Again sorry for maybe $200-300 more you could of picked up a better one. Internet search on the many Auctions out there show many good deals on them M1860s, even search the web on all the Dealers.

 

[bobinwmass]

I don't think that wire is original to the saber, it has a pretty loose twist. Ames grips were wrapped with wire that had a much tighter twist, 12 or 13 turns per inch. But you are correct, blades were not normally sharpened.

 

[scooter748driver]

It looks correct to me. I don't think you're hurt if in at $500. BTW, welcome from the Fort Sumter and the Fredericksburg forums.

 

[CS_44]

Thanks for the welcomes glad to be here and learn more

 

[infoforest]

The saber does appear to be an original Ames. That date looks like it may have been restamped - that "3" looks a little wonky. At first I had doubts about the scabbard because it looked like it had screws at the throat, but looks like that's just a shadow.

I have the same model saber with a similar "3", inspector's initials JCW. I bought it at an antique show about 35 years ago. The "3" stamping worried me a bit for years but I have since seen at least one photo of a similar saber with similar stamping in either a museum collection or a reputable dealer's catalog (can't recall which now). It makes me think the more frequently changing digit was not applied with such care.